Malthouse will oversee the game. Rob Wiley, director of coaching and development, and Luke Webster, coach of VFL affiliate Northern Blues, will take charge of the two teams.

Judd, who has stood down as captain, Waite, draftee Troy Menzel (hip) and defender Andrew McInnes (knee reconstruction) are the only players forced out by injuries.

It's a far healthier player list than last year when the depleted Blues lost all of their NAB Cup matches, to Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs, and a practice match to North Melbourne.

Football operations manager Andrew McKay said Judd, Waite and Menzel would have game time in NAB Cup matches.

"Troy is just adjusting to training loads," McKay said. "Obviously, it's a big change compared to what he's used to and we're just monitoring him. He has a little bit of hip aggravation and we don't want him to go too hard too early."

AFL field and boundary umpires will control the game, which will be the first to trial the deliberate out of bounds rule under which a player hands possession to the opposition if he is the last to kick, handball or run the ball over the line.

On player experiments, McKay said: "There will be a few thrown around in different positions. (Jeff) Garlett, (Chris) Yarran and (Bryce) Gibbs and those boys will have a go onball at different times."